How to Decorate a Church Cafe

Many churches build a cafe where church members can go after the service to visit with each other and discuss the weekly sermon and lessons. If you're looking for decorating inspiration for your church cafe, look no further than your own church. The furniture and accessories that most churches use have a distinct look that people associate with church life. Incorporating some of these elements into your cafe decorating tasks allows you to use up some of the items that you might have sent to the second-hand store and gives the church cafe a more authentic atmosphere.

Instructions

1

Paint the walls. Use a faux Venetian plaster technique to create the look of stone. This creates the feel of an old stone church in your cafe.

2

Use old pews as booths. Wooden pews with the prayer bench look the most authentic; however, pews with cushions may be the most practical. Cut the pews down in size so that they fit two people.

3

Hang old stained glass windows from the ceiling as dividers between the booths. Screw hooks into the top of the windows and into the ceiling; make sure to screw the hooks in the stud. Hook the windows to the ceiling using heavy chain. Add more hooks to the bottom of the window and to the backs of the pews. Secure this side with chains as well.

4

Set up a pulpit for the hostess stand. Store menus, paper, pens and crayons for kids in the space below. Place this at the entrance of the cafe.

5

Hang chalkboards on the wall with the daily specials written on them. Include some that have a Bible verse on them. Use script handwriting to make them look like manuscript pages.

6

Display religious art on the walls and around the cafe. Hang prints by religious artists such as Thomas Kinkade and Greg Olsen. Place religious sculptures on pedestals throughout the cafe.

7

Hang crosses on the wall. Choose some made of iron or stone to give the cafe a Medieval look and feel.

8

Build counters and tables from old church paneling. This material will coordinate well with the wooden pews you'll use for seating.

9

Set the tables with accessories such as goblet glasses, linen napkins and menus shaped like The Ten Commandments.